The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reminds Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road customers that the MTA Police began enforcing the new state ban on outdoor smoking on Wednesday, February 15.

The new law prohibits smoking on LIRR and Metro-North outdoor platforms as well as the outdoor ticketing and boarding areas of terminals and stations.

Violators can be ejected from LIRR or Metro-North property and face fines of up to $50 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both.

Metro-North stations in Connecticut are not subject to the new law.

Until now, violators have been issued warnings, but the grace period ends Wednesday. Meanwhile, Metro-North and the LIRR have been conducting a customer education campaign to raise awareness of the new smoking ban, an effort that has included leafleting on trains, signage at stations, customer email alerts, postings on Facebook and Twitter as well as public address announcements.